When did I become this utterly stupid?

Pain, searing and raw, dug across his hip and abdomen. Blood stung his nose and eyes, and he coughed to clear his throat of the iron taste. Arms held him upright, smooth skin and scales warm against him, and he couldn't help but lean into the other's hold more than he already was. Anything to ease the caustic burning in his side.

Vash shook his head to clear it of the fuzziness beginning to creep up on him.

A shadow fell in front of the opening to their hiding place and he felt the purple male tense again. Vash thrust his spear forward, startled when a dark hand caught the weapon. A pale face ducked down to peer into the coral hideaway, steely blue eyes scanning them through the red tinted water.

"It's safe now."

Finally.

Diedrich's presence was a welcome one and Vash couldn't help but be thankful for the alpha's great timing.

Roderich unraveled the rest of his tail from around them and slid out of the alcove, still holding the spotted male to him tightly. The fresh, non-blood tainted water was a reprieve from the stuffy claustrophobia of coral. There was no sign of the tiger shark anywhere in sight, and large parts of the reef around them were completely shattered. Colorful pieces of coral and clumps of seaweed were strewn around, and even some large boulders around them were split down the middle.

Vash let himself slump in relief, letting Diedrich take his spear from him before it slipped form his fingers.

"Whoa, there, darling. Easy."

He grit his teeth at the quiet tone Roderich was using, shooting him with the harshest glare he could muster. Stop calling me that.

All that met his harsh gaze was a soft lavender one, and he felt his momentary irritation fade. Their faces were close enough to touch, and the green merman finally took notice that he was entirely in the violet male's arms, being supported completely. He didn't quite approve of having the bigger male touch him, let alone hold onto him, and had only put up with it before when they were hiding.

And yet he couldn't quite bring himself to pull away. But why, though? He hated touching—hated that it irritated his too-sensitive-skin, only allowing his sister to hold onto him. It was just the two of them after all.

Amethyst eyes continued to bore into him, and he caught many emotions flicking across those violet irises. Mostly confusion. He couldn't help the lump in his throat at that, swallowing hard.

He's probably wondering why I helped him, Vash thought.

His mind raced as that gentle gaze observed him, almost like he was waiting for an answer. He swallowed again, trying not to think of the reason why he rushed in like he did.

Because he knew exactly why, and it made his heart beat a little faster.

He . . . He couldn't help himself.

As soon as the shark had lunged over them, Vash had immediately swam in the opposite direction with his sister tightly in his arms. He'd wanted to get her as far, far away from danger as possible, dashing deep into the kelp forest—it was just a shame he had to leave Roderich behind. The violet male had brought this upon himself from being so careless, but even so . . . The merman didn't deserve to die.

Especially not to a fucking shark.

Vash had just settled into the kelp, hiding Lilli beneath him, when a loud, resounding shriek seized him. That sound, that call, that terrified scream made his heart nearly leap out of his throat, and his muscles just moved. It was as if some invisible force was pushing him through the water, faster and faster. He barely registered his sister burying herself into the sand as he dashed out of the kelp, and the sight of the violet male about to be caught by those ferocious jaws just about made his mind scream to a halt.

He had no idea just how he'd gotten between them so quickly. All he could remember was the single thought of, No.

And here they were now; both hurt and exhausted.

Vash looked around at the remnants of the coral around them once more, trying to distract himself from their closeness and his aching pain. Really, he had been injured before, but every time just seemed to be worse and worse. There hadn't been tiger sharks in this area for many cycles, though. He'd made sure of that. So, seeing one right in the middle of his territory was enough to piss him off, even if it had been just passing through.

Diedrich was behind him, scanning the area around them for any more signs of the predator that had attacked them. His long, jet black tail waved next to him, and just being near the larger alpha was intimidating. Then he caught movement to his right and he turned to spot another merman heading their way quickly. Vash didn't recognize him; young, blonde-haired, and about as large as Diedrich, with a lengthy silver tail adorned with light blue stripes and matching eyes. Eyes that had a seriousness that belied his apparent age.

"Vash."

He turned his attention back to the merman pressed against him, about to ask what he wanted. He was busy surveying the area—did the other not notice the other merman creeping up on them? Well, that's what he was going to say.

That was until Roderich nuzzled up under his chin. The merman gave a pleased hum, quietly murmuring, "Thank you."

Vash's eyes widened and he froze, feeling a warm nose tickle the skin under his jaw and—oh! No. Oh, definitely not—Were those lips?!

A strangled cry of embarrassment escaped his throat and he pushed the too-touchy-feely male away from him and escaped. I should never have saved him! he panicked. The shooting pains through his side made him stop his fleeing too soon, only a few meters away, and he couldn't help but clutch his wounds and double over.

Roderich squeaked in surprise and swam over to him. "Vash, what on earth are you—"

"Lilli!" He perked up, thinking of the first excuse he could while staunchly avoiding the other's stare. Oh dear, he just knew he was redder than his blood, and yet he still hoped the violet male wouldn't notice. "I have to see if she's alright!"

And he was worried, he was, but she'd hidden well. The young pup knew to stay put until he returned. He mostly just wanted to put immediate distance between him and the other male. Why, oh why was this day so utterly strange?!

"Alright, well," Roderich stopped beside him once more, hands removing the mauve wrappings from around his violet-silver waist. "Let's tie off your wounds first, at least."

Vash allowed him that.

The other males circled around them slowly, muttering quietly to one another. The other two seemed unfazed by the addition of the new merman, and he assumed he must be from the same pod. The younger blonde male pressed his shoulder into Roderich's back, catching the male's attention. Vash overheard them whispering together.

"I'm sorry."

Roderich spared him a quick look. "For what?"

The larger merman growled a moment, pressing against him more. "For losing you."

"Oh." The violet male dipped his head to the side and bumped against the blonde's chin, humming again.

Oh. Vash couldn't help the way his chest squeezed at the domestic sight. He tried not to notice just how close the other two were now, the blonde floating beside the brunette now and helping him untie the long scarf around his waist. Vash looked away.

"Are you injured, too?"

"I don't believe so."

Vash rolled his eyes. Liar. He felt warm hands press into his wounds again, and he bit back a groan at the jolt of agony that shot up his ribs. He felt Roderich drift closer to him and there were quiet words in his ear. "Hold still a moment, dear. This will hurt."

Vash grimaced. "Oh, really? I hadn't noticed—"

He was loathed to admit he may have cried out a little louder than he would have liked as he felt something sharp being ripped from one of his cuts. White flashed across his vision at the excruciating pain that racked through his body, and he felt himself slump again as his vision blacked out.

…xXx…

Vash stiffened as his senses slowly came back to him, and he stuttered in a deep breath. Arms were holding him close again and he could feel they were moving through the water. He felt warm, thick cloth tied tightly around his abdomen and he was grateful it seemed to be holding in his bleeding for the moment. He opened his eyes to see that Roderich was swimming sideways, holding him securely to his chest and arguing with the other two males.

"I can carry him, Roderich," Diedrich was saying from somewhere nearby.

"No."

"I can take him, Vati, don't worry," the other male's voice called, sounding gruff and annoyed. "Just hand him over already."

"No." The green merman could swear he felt the start of a growl rumbling in the male's chest against him.

Vash felt a wave of shame fill him. He didn't want the others to take care of him. He was more than capable of handling himself—this wasn't his first encounter with a shark attack and it certainly wasn't his worst. Okay, it was pretty bad still, but he didn't need to rely on anyone.

He didn't want to be a burden.

Vash patted Roderich's shoulder to release him, and was grateful when he did. The green merman immediately rolled over and started swimming up over a nearby ridge, ignoring the confused stares and calls after him to stop. Right now, he needed to fetch his sister and make sure she was alright. That there hadn't been any other sharks to catch her while he was preoccupied. It didn't matter that every time he waved his tail strikes of agony shot through his chest, or that his vision was staying blurry around the edges. Or that he was certain his heart would burst out of his chest if the violet male held on to him any longer than he'd already had.

None of that matters, he reasoned with himself. He was not running away—he was simply rushing to see his sister.

Vash crossed the open waters towards a large patch of tall kelp. He gave a low call, stopping at the edge of the waving wall of green, and held out his arm. A high chirp echoed back to him and moments later a small hand darted out to grab his. Relief flooded through him as he pulled his sister out of the kelp and up into his arms.

"Brother, you're hurt!" Lilli cried, hugging around his neck tightly and burying her little face into his shoulder. "I saw it bite you!"

"I'm alright," he soothed, petting her hair down. "It's just a scratch. Nothing more."

"It is not a scratch."

Deep words from behind him made him turn around slowly, and he fixed the speaker with a glare. It was the younger blonde, the one he didn't know. The male held out an arm towards the siblings. "Let me take her, that way you can swim easier."

Vash backed away immediately, his narrowed gaze not easing up one bit. He didn't spare the other two mermen a glance as they swam up in front of him. This was too many males around his sister than he was comfortable with, and there was absolutely no way he was just going to hand her over.

"And just who are you?" He raised his chin, showing the slightest hint of teeth to make his answer clear. Lilli twisted around to stare at the three males.

Cobalt eyes widened slightly in only what he could assume was surprise.

Good, he may be injured, but he was not weak.

Roderich treaded over to him slowly, arms open in a placating manner. The violet male flashed him a soft smile. "This is my brother, Ludwig. You can trust him to watch over her."

Brother. He didn't know why that made him relax.

But Vash kept up his sneer. "Why would I let him watch her when he lost track of his own brother?"

The silver-blue male recoiled at that and looked away, crossing his arms. Roderich huffed and swam closer, holding his arms open for the youngling. "Then let me take her. Let me carry you both."

Lilli went to reach an arm out to him before stopping herself, glancing back up at her brother.

Vash wanted to bolt. Everything in his wiring from years of isolation was telling him to swim away.

He had no real reason to trust any of them, not even Roderich. He'd known him for less than half a day, Diedrich was the leader of a rival pod, and he didn't know this Ludwig at all.

Roderich leaned down to brush his fingers along the spot on his side that was injured, and Vash took a sharp intake of breath. Amethyst eyes were sincere and soft, the male's lopsided smile calming him down somewhat. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get some help, and he was the first one to go out of his way to help the violet male before after all . . .

A smile is the most convincing mask a predator can wear.

Vash immediately stiffened and ducked forward, curling protectively over the pup in his arms. He wanted to handle this by himself, wanted to just swim immediately back home and never leave again.

His sister burbled in surprise and looked up at him. Her little hands patted his shoulders and she whispered, "Brother, I can swim by myself. You don't have to worry about me."

His eyes widened as he stared at his little sister, her face serious and posture puffed up as much as she could in his arms. Her own light seafoam eyes stared back, holding his gaze in such a way that made his heart flutter with pride.

He couldn't help but give in.

…xXx…

Oh snap, Vash is secretly very emotional about everything.

Also, the Sapphire Caverns pod all call Deidrich "Vati," a German word for "father." Mostly because I think it's cute, and partly because Deidrich may or may not have spent a large part of his life around the North Sea so he does have some knowledge of human languages.